Method of threading a rotating pipe

ABSTRACT

A METHOD IS PROVIDED FOR THE THREADING OF PIPES WHEREIN A PORTABLE ROTARY POWER SOURCE SUCH AS A POWER VISE MAY BE EMPLOYED TO ROTATABLY DRIVE THE PIPE. THE METHOD INVOLVES ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL DRIVING CONNECTION BETWEEN A PIPE TO BE WORKED AND A ROTARY POWER SOURCE, ROTATABLY SECURING THE PIPE IN A VISE MEANS SUPPORTED FOR   ROTATION ABOUT MULTIPLE AXES, AND THEN ROTATABLY DRIVING THE PIPE AND APPLYING A THREADING TOOL TO THE PORTION THEREOF TO BE WORKED.

Jan. 5, 1971 D. E. BLAKE METHODVVOF THREADING A ROTATING PIPE originalFiled April s, 1967 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR DONALD E. BLA K E Jan. 5, 14971 D. E. BLAKE METHOD 0F THREADINGA ROTATING PIPL."v

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 5, 1967 INVENTOR DONALD E. BLAKEJan. 5, 1971 D. E. BLAKE v I METHOD OF THREADING A ROTATING PIPE.

Original Filed April 5. 1967 4 Sheets-Shee. 3

INVENTOR DONALD,V E. BLAKE Jan. 5, 1971 n. E. BLAKE METHOD OF THREADINGA ROTATING PIPE 4 shets-sheet 4 Original Filed April 3, 1967 IN VENTORQQLD E. BLAKE United States Patent O 3,551,929 METHUD OF THREADING AROTATING PIPE Donald E. Blake, 761 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, W.Va. 26505 Original application Apr. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 627,694, nowPatent No. 3,445,871, dated May 27, 1969. Divided and this applicationFeb. 18, 1969, Ser. No. 840,554

Int. Cl. B23g 1/00 U.S. Cl. -89 3 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE Thisis a division of Blake application Ser. No. 627,694, led Apr. 3, 1967now U.S. Pat. 3,445,871.

This invention relates to a pipe working apparatus and, morparticularly, to an apparatus for use in combination with pipe workingtools and a portable source of rotary power for the cutting, reaming andthreading of pipe of larger diameters. The invention also relates to anew and improved reamer for use in reaming pipes of larger diamr etersand, more particularly, to a reamer having a cutting means which can beselectively adjusted so that the reamer can be used to ream pipes ofseveral different sizes.

The invention furthermore relates to methods of cutting, reaming andthreading pipe and, more particularly, to methods of cutting, reamingand threading pipe of larger diameters wherein a portable rotary powersource such as a power vise may be employed to rotatably drive a pipe tobe worked. The invention still further relates to a method ofsequentially cutting, reaming and threading pipe and, more particularly,to a method of sequentially cutting, reaming and threading pipe oflarger diameters in a single work set-up wherein a portable rotary powersource such as a power vise may be employed to rotatably drive a pipe tobe worked.

Presently in the plumbing trade, cutting, reaming and threading of pipeof less than 2.1/2 in diameter is accomplished rather quickly and easilyby the use of a portable rotary power source commonly referred to as apower vise or power drive. This device is basically a motor driven chuckwhich is mounted on a stand or legs, and when used with pipe workingtools, such as a cutter, a reamer and a die head, provides a readilyavailable source of power for the cutting, reaming and threading of pipeup to 2 in diameter in a single work set-up. The power vise is arelatively lightweight and inexpensive piece of equipment which can beeasily transported from job-to-job, and one which is owned and used bypractically every plumber in the trade.

Due to its size and more particularly to the size of its chuck which canaccommodate pipe only up to 2" in diameter, the power 'vise cannot beused as a power source for the cutting, reaming and threading of pipe ofdiameters in excess of 2", i.e., diameters ranging between 21/2" and 6".The power drive can be used as a source of power for the threading onlyof this larger diameter pipe, if the threading is accomplished by meansof a geared threader, but the cutting and reaming of such pipe must bedone either through the use of other tools or other machinery or byhand, which of course necessitates a separate work set-up for thecutting and reaming operations and another ice separate work set-up forthe threading operation. As is commonly done in most work situations,the larger diameter pipe is first cut and reamed by hand in one worksetup, and then the pipe is threaded with the power vise and gearedthreader in another work set-up. {Ihe two work set-ups, of course,result in a loss of time, and the hand cutting and reaming of the pipeinvolves great amounts of hard labor and many expensive manhours oftime.

If the power vise is used in combination with a geared threader to applythreads to larger diameter pipe, additional or auxiliary equipment mustbe used with the geared threader to accomplish the threading operation.A universal drive shaft is one such piece of auxiliary equipment and itis used to provide a direct drive between the chuck of the power viseand the drive pinion of the geared threader. The geared threader canalso be mounted-on or attached to the power vise with the drive pinionthereof being driven directly by the chuck of the power vise. Thisarrangement requires the use of a drive bar and adjustable pipesupports, as well as some other pieces of auxiliary equipment, and thegeared threader remains xed to the power vise with the die head of thethreader also remaining fixed and the pipe being rotated by the workholder or barrel of the threader into thread-cutting engagement with thecutting dies. Such an arrangement requires near perfect axial alignmentbetween the axis of rotation of the pipe and hte axis of rotation of thebarrel or wonk holder of the geared threader and setting-up or arrangingthe pipe and geared threader to attain such alignment requires a largeexpenditure of time. If such an alignment is not attained, binding orbreaking of the threader die head will occur and the cutting of threadswill be accompanied by excessive wear of the threader drive pinion andring gear.

The cutting, reaming and threading of pipe of larger diameters in asingle work set-up can be accomplished with some existing machines ordevices, but 'such machines or devices constitute heavy pieces ofequipment and, in addition, are most expensive. Such machines or devicesare suitable for use only as xed installations and, as a consequence,cannot be easily and inexpensively transported by a plumber from one jobto another. Most plumbers, furthermore, cannot afford the capitalinvestment involved in such machines or devices.

The present invention contemplates an inexpensive and lightweightapparatus adapted for use in combination with pipe working tools for thecutting, reaming and threading of pipe of larger diameters in a singlework set-up using a conventional power vise as a source of power. Theapparatus operates to rotatably support and establish a universaldriving connection between a pipe and a power vise and, structurally,includes a stand 'which carries a platform or head rotatable about twoaxes. A roller vise for rotatably supporting the pipe to be worked isaixed to the rotatable head and the vise includes a plurality of rollersin combination with a quickly connectable and disconnectable chain. Oneextremity of the pipe is connected to the chuck of the power visethrough the medium of an adapter and a drive shaft with a universaljoint therein. An adjustable tool support means is also carried by thehead and, when it is desired to cut, ream and thread the oppositeextremity of the pipe, the tool support arm is employed to support thehandles of -the pipe working tools. The universal joint eliminates theneed of exact alignment between the axis of rotation of the pipe andt-he axis of rotation of the power source and, as the pipe is rotatablydriven, the rotatable head moves about its axes in response to anyeccentric rotation of the pipe and thereby affords automatic alignmentbetween the rotating pipe and the roller vise. With the rotating pipeand roller vise being so aligned, the pipe can be quickly, accuratelyand sequentially cut, reamed and threaded in a single work set-up.

The novel reamer of the present invention is comprised of a plate-likebody member having a pair of handles and a pair of guide members mountedthereon. The body member carries a cutting blade which is adjustablerelative thereto with the blade being positioned on the body memberintermediate the guide members. In use, the blade of the reamer isinserted into th end of a cut pipe with one of the guide members beingpositioned on the outer periphery of the pipe and the other of the guidemembers being positioned on the inner periphery of the pipe. With thepipe being power driven or power-rotated and the blade being adjusted sothat the cutting edge thereof will engage the inner peripheral surfaceof the pipe, the burr on such inner peripheral surface can be quicklyand easily removed.

The methods contemplated by the present invention of cutting, reamingand threading pipe of lage diameters consist of first establishing auniversal driving connection between a pipe to be worked and a rotarypower source, which may be a portable rotary power source such as apower vise. The pipe is then rotatably secured in a vise means which issupported for movement about multiple axes. The pipe is next rotatablydriven by the power source and then cut, reamed and threaded by theapplication of cutting, reaming and threading tools to the portionthereof desired to be worked. The methods when practiced sequentially,in effect, constitute a new and improved method of cutting, reaming andthreading a pipe in a single work set-up.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide aportable and inexpensive apparatus which will afford the cutting,reaming and threading of pipe of larger diameters in a single workset-up.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which willafford power cutting, reaming and threading of pipe of larger diametersusing a conventional power vise as a source of power.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for use inpower cutting, reaming and threading of pipe which eliminates the needof alignment between the axis of rotation of the pipe being worked andthe axis of rotation of the power source employed to drive the pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selectively adjustablereamer which can be employed to ream pipes of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reamer which will affordquick and easy reaming of power-driven pipes of larger diameters.

Another object of the invention is to provide methods of cutting,reaming and threading pipe of larger diameters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of cutting,reaming and threading pipe in a single work set-up.

These and other objects of the present invention will become betterunderstood from the following detailed description of one specificembodiment thereof when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like components are designated by like referencenumerals throughout and wherein:

FIG. l is an end elevation of the apparatus illustrating some of thecomponents thereof and illustrating the strand, pipe-supoprting head androller vise in particular;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal section through the apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrating thepipe-supporting head and the universal driving connection between a pipeand the power vise;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus also illustraing thepipe-supporting head and the universal driving connection between a pipeand the power vise;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating a pipe beingretained on the head by the roller vise and the pipe being drivinglyconnected to the power vise;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the adapter;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus illustrating acutting tool being applied to a pipe;

FIG. 8 is another fragmentary perspective view of the apparatusillustrating the reaming tool of the present invention being applied toa pipe;

FIG. 9 is another fragmentary perspective view illustrating theapparatus being used in a threading operation with a geared threader;

FIG. l0 is an exploded perspective view of the drive shaft and universaljoint along with one component of the adapter;

FIG. ll is a rear elevation of the reamer;

FIG. l2 is a top plan view of the reamer;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation of the reamer; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the reamer illustrating allof the components thereof.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation illustrating the operation of ageared threader when used with the apparatus of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. l-4 of the drawings, the apparatusis shown as including a stand means or stand generally indicated by thereference numeral 10 comprised of a substantially upright frame member12, frame member 12 in this one specific embodiment of the inventionassuming the form of a hollow, elongated cylinder. A plurality of legmembers are rigidly connected to frame member 12 and, in function, areadapted to hold frame member 12 in a substantially upright position on asolid surface such as a floor or the ground. Three leg members areemployed in this particular instance, although only two of such legmembers 14 and 16 are shown in the drawings. The leg members likewiseassume the form of hollow cylinders, and one end of each leg member isrigidly connected to frame member 12. The leg members are connected toframe member 12 by welding in this particular instance, although it willbe appreciated that any other suitable means of connecting the legmembers to the frame member could be employed.

Frame member 12 slidably and snugly receives a column means or columnmember 18, column member 18 likewise taking the form of an elongatedhollow cylinder, and intermediate the ends thereof having a plurality ofspaoed and radially aligned holes or ports 20 therein (FIG. 2). Ports 20are adapted to receive a pin 22 which is also received within a pair ofradially aligned or diametrically opposed holes or ports (no referencenumerals) in frame member 12. Pin 22 in combination with the pluralityof holes 20 in column member 18 and the holes in frame member 12provides a means for selectively adjusting the height of stand 10. Pin22 is provided with a head 24 thereon by means of which it may be easilygrasped for insertion or removed from the holes.

Frame member 12, leg members 14 and 16 and column member 18, whiletaking the form of hollow cylindrical elements, could neverthelessassume the form of solid cylindrical elements or, for that matter, couldassume any other suitable shape, configuration or cross-section. It ispreferable, however, to use hollow members in constructing the stand 10because of the weight and cost factors involved. The portability andcost of the apparatus of the present invention are, needless to say,both significant attributes thereof.

Stand 10 rotatably carries a head means or pipe supporting headgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 26. The head 26 broadlyserves as a platform or the like for supporting a pipe to be worked and,in this one specific embodiment of the invention, is comprised of a rstpair of spaced and opposed members 28 and 30, together with a secondpair of spaced and opposed members 32 and 34. The pairs of spaced andopposed members assume the form of the at plates and are spaced apreselected distance apart. The ends of plates 32 and 34are rigidlysecured to the opposing inner faces of plates 28 and 30, with the fourplates thus forming a rigid, substantially rectangularly configuredframe, the four plates being secured lto each other by welding in thisparticular instance (no fillets shown), although it will be appreciatedthat any other suitable means of securing the plates could be employed.

As best seen in FIG. 2, plates 28 and 30 are also rigidly connected by asubstantially semi-circular plate 36 which extends between the twoplates. Plate 36 is likewise rigidly connected to the opposing innerfaces of plates 28 and 30, and is so connected to the two plates bywelding (fillets not shown). Plate 36 is also rigidly connected to twoother components carried by head 26, as will be more fully discussedhereinafter.

Head 26 also includes a shaft means or shaft 38 which in this instancealso assumes the form of a hollow, elongated cylinder. Plates 32 and 34are so spaced and shaft 38 has an outside diameter such that the shaft,or more particularly one extremity thereof, fits snugly within orbetween the plates. Shaft 38 is provided with a pair of radially alignedholes therein (no reference numerals) which are in alignment with a pairof aligned holes (no reference numerals) in plates 32 and 34, and thepairs of aligned holes in the shaft and plates are adapted to receive apivot means or pivot which assumes the form of a bolt 40. Bolt 40 has ahead 42 on one end thereof and carries a nut 44 on the opposite endthereof. The portion of shaft 38 projecting or depending beyond theplates 32 and 34 is sldably and rotatably received within hollow columnmember 18 of stand 10, and the bottom surfaces of plates 32 and 34 abutor seat on the upper end wall of column member 18. With shaft 38 vbeingso received within column member 18 and shaft 38 being so pivotallyconnected to plates 32 and 34, it can readily be seen that the head 26is not only carried by or mounted-on the stand 10, but also is supportedfor rotation about multiple axes, one of the axes being defined by bolt40 and the other being defined by the axis of rotation of shaft 38.

A vise means or vise (no reference numerals) for rotatably supporting apipe to be worked is carried by head 26 and the vise means in thisinstance takes the form of a roller vise. The roller vise includes apair of substantially parallel tubular members 46 and 48 mounted onplates 28 and 30, the tubular members being spaced a preselecteddistance apart and being seated in pairs of semicircular recesses (noreference numerals) in the top walls of the two plates and being securedto the two plates by welding. The semicircular plate 36 secured toplates 28 and 30 also extends between the two tubular members 46 and 48and is rigidly secured to the two tubular members (FIG. 2) in thisparticular instance by welding. In

being rigidly connected to plates 28 and 30 and to the two tubularmembers 46 and l48, semicircular plate '36 thus adds rigidity to thehead 26.

Tubular members 46 and 48 are adapted to receive shafts 50 and 52,respectively. Each shaft in turn rotatably carries a pair of rollers,shaft 50 carrying rollers 58 and 60 and shaft 52 carrying rollers 54 and56. The rollers in this instance assume the form of antifrictionbearings, although it will be appreciated that any other suitable typeof roller could be employed. The rollers, as essential components of theroller vise, in function, are adapted to rotatably support a pipe to beworked, such a pipe being shown in the drawings as being in engagementwith the rollers and being designated by the reference numeral 62.

Bolts 50 and 52 also carry a pair of arm members 64 and 66, the armmembers having a tool support means connected thereto, as will also bediscussed more fully hereinafter. The bolts 50 and 52 extend throughpairs of holes in the arm members (no reference numerals) and the armmembers 64 and 66 and the two pairs of rollers `54-56 and 56-58 are heldin rigid assembly on the two bolts by pairs of nuts 68-70 and 72-74,which nuts are carried on the threaded ends (not shown) of the twoshafts. Spacers (not shown) are carried on the two shafts to separatethe arm members and the rollers to insure freedom of rotation of therollers. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm members 64 and 66 eachterminate in a substantially U-shaped portion (no reference numeral) atthe end where each is connected to the two shafts 50 and 52 so as not tointerfere with the seating of pipe 62 on the rollers.

An elongated hollow member 76 is rigidly connected to the ends of arms64 and 66 and, in this instance, member 76 takes the form of a hollowcylinder. Member 76 is attached to the ends of the arms by welding,although it will be appreciated that any other suitable means ofattachment could be employed. A rigid tool support means or supportmember 78 is sldably received within hollow member 76, the tool supportmember 78 also assuming the form of a hollow cylinder. The ends of toolsupport member 78 are threaded (threads not shown) and carry enlarged,threaded end caps or the like 80 and 82 which prevent tool supportmember 78 from becoming separated from hollow member 76.

The roller vise also includes a chain means or chain for holding pipe 62on the head 26 and more particularly for urging the pipe into engagementwith the pairs of rollers 5456 and 58-60, the chain being generallyindicated by the reference numeral 84. Chain 84 is comprised of aplurality of links 86 which are held in assembly by pins (no referencenumerals), and also includes a plurality of rollers 88, four rollersbeing employed in this particular instance. The rollers 88 are rotatablyconnected to the chain 86 in a customary manner by pins (no referencenumerals), and the rollers in function provide a relatively frictionlessengagement between the chain 84 and pipe 62.

At one end, the chain carries or is connected to an adjustment meanswhich takes the form of a threaded bar or the like 90 which carries asimilarly threaded nut 92. Nut 92 is adapted to abut a plate '94 whichis rigidly connected to tubular element 46, the plate and tubularelement being rigidly connected in this instance by welding. Bar 90 ofthe adjustment means is received within a substantiallyrectangular-shaped passage or port 96 in plate 94.

The opposite end of chain 86 is engaged by a buckle means or bucklegenerally indicated by the reference numeral 98. Buckle 98 includes asubstantially S-shaped link 100 which is pivotally connected to a bar orlever 102 by a bolt 104. Lever 102 is in turn pivotally connected by abolt 106 to a pair of supporting brackets 108 and 110 which are rigidlyconnected at one end to tubular member 48, the two brackets beingconnected to the tubular member 48 in this instance by welding. Bolts104 and 106 are each provided with heads thereon and are each alsoadapted to receive a nut, bolt 106 being shown in FIG. 3 as having ahead 112 thereon and receiving a nut 114. S-shaped link 100 is adaptedto engage the pin in the last link in chain 86, and the buckle providesa means for quickly connecting and disconnecting the chain to-andfromthe pipe. With the length of the chain 86 being properly adjusted to fita given size pipe, the buckle 98 when turned to the locked positionshown in FIG. 2 will exert just enough force on the chain to urge thepipe 62 firmly into engagement with the pairs of rollers 54-56 and58-60. While a quickly connectable and disconnectable chain is used inthis one specic embodiment of the invention to urge the pipe 62 firmlyinto engagement with the pairs of rollers it will be apparent that anyother suitable means for urging the pipe firmly into engagement with therollers could be employed.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the apparatus includes an adapter meansor adapter generally designated by the reference numeral 116. Theadapter is comprised of a hollow member 118 defined by a side wall 122and having an end wall 120 at one end thereof and being open at theopposite end thereof, the adapter in this instance taking the form of ahollow cylindrical section having a plate welded into one end thereof,the plate thus serving as the end wall 120 of the adapter. Side wall 122of cylinder 118 is provided in this instance with threecircumferentially spaced holes therein (no reference numerals) and theholes are adapted to receive three bolts 126, the holes extendingsubstantially radially of the cylinder 118 and being spacedapproximately 120 apart. Three nuts 124 are Welded to the outerperiphery of the hollow cylinder 118 in alignment with the three holestherein, and the nuts 124 are adapted to be threadedly engaged by thethree bolts 126.

The end or extremity of pipe 62 remote from that being worked isreceived within the hollow cylinder 118 of the adapter and the end ofthe pipe is adapted to be rigidly connected to the hollow cylinder 118by the three bolts, the three bolts being movable radially inwardly andoutwardly of the hollow cylinder member. Needless to say, the insidediameter of hollow cylinder 118 should be slightly larger than theoutside diameter of the largest size pipe with which the adapter isexpected to be used.

The apparatus also includes means for providing a universal drivingconnection between the adapter and the source of rotary power, theuniversal driving connection in this instance taking the form of a driveshaft with a universal joint therein, the drive shaft being designatedby reference numeral 128 and the universal joint being generallydesignated by the reference numeral 130. The drive shaft 128 having auniversal joint therein is thus comprised of two shaft components 132and 134. The universal joint connects the two shaft components 132 and134 and some of the universal joint components are carried on the endsof the two shaft components in this particular instance.

One end of shaft component 132 carries a U-shaped member 136 to the endsof which are connected two stub shafts 138 and 140. One end of shaftcomponent 134 also carries a U-shaped member 142 to the ends of whichare connected two stub shafts 144 and 146. The four stub shafts are heldin assembly to form a universal joint by a pair of plates 148 and 150,which plates are each provided with centrally disposed, enlargedapertures 151 and 153, respectively, therein. Each plate 148-150 is alsoprovided with four radially extending recesses therein spacedapproximately 90 apart, plate 148 being provided with four recesses 152therein and plate 150 being provided with four recesses 154 therein. Thefour recesses in the two plates are adapted to receive the four stubshafts when the two plates are connected and held in close assembly bymeans of rivets 160 (FIG. 3). Holes 156 and 158 in the two platesreceive the rivets 160. With the two plates riveted together, thecomponents of the universal joint are held in assembly and the two shaftcomponents can rotate about two axes defined by the pairs of stubshafts, which axes are spaced approximately 90 apart.

The end of shaft component 132 remote from the universal joint isrigidly connected to end wall 120 of the adapter at the approximategeometric center thereof. Shaft component 132 is welded to the adapterend wall 120 in this particular instance, although it will beappreciated that any other suitable type of connection means could beemployed.

The end of shaft component 134 is adapted to be received in the chuck ofa portable rotary power source, i.e., a power vise or power drive. Atypical power vise is shown in the drawings and is generally designed bythe reference numeral 162. The power vise is basically cornprised of ahousing 164 which houses an electric motor and some gearing (not shown),and the motor acting through the gearing drives a chuck 166 which isadapted to hold or grip a small diameter pipe or, in this instance,shaft component 134. Housing 164 is mounted on a platform or the like168 and the platform is supported by four legs 170. The power vise is alightweight and inexpensive piece of equipment and can easily betransported from one work location to another. Power vises are owned andused by practically all plumbers in the trade, and several differentmodels are commercially available. The structural details per se of thepower vise shown in the 8 drawings form no part of the presentinvention, needless to say.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, the reamer of the present invention iscomprised of a body member 172 which, in this instance, takes the formof a at plate having a substantially triangular-shaped main portion 174and an enlarged tang portion 176. Tang portion 176 carries a handlemeans or handle 178, the handle in this instance being comprised of ahollow cylinder having one end attened at 180 to provide a substantiallyrectangularshaped opening or port 182 in one end of the handle. Tangportion 176 is adapted to t within the rectangularshaped opening 182,and the handle 178 is held on the tang portion 176 by the frictionalengagement between the two components. Another handle means or handle184 is carried by body member 172, handle 184 being rigidly connected tothe rear or reverse face of the tang portion of the body member. Handle184 in this instance is welded to the reverse face of the body member,the fillets being shown in FIG. 12. Handle 184 also extendssubstantially normal to the body member.

Body member 172 also carries guide means which in this one specificembodiment of the invention takes the form of a pair of rollers orcylindrical elements 186 and 188. The two rollers have axially extendingpassages 190 and 192 therein which receive bolts 198 and 200 which areemployed to attach the two rollers to the front face of the body member.Bolts 198 and 200 are received in a pair of holes 194 and 196,respectively, in the body member, the two holes being spaced apredetermined distance apart, as are thus the two rollers. Nuts 202 and204 are threadedly carried on the ends of the two bolts, and the nutsabut the reverse side of the body member.

Body member 172 is provided with an elongated substantiallyrectangular-shaped passage or slot 206 therein, the slot being locatedin body member main portion 174 and extending to one edge of the bodymember. A pair of plates 208 and 210 are rigidly secured to the reverseface of the body member, each of the plates being secured to the reverseface of the body member along one of their side walls 209 and 211,respectively. The plates 208 and 210 are secured to the body member bywelding, in this particular instance, and are positioned on the bodymember along the opposing edges of slot 206 or in such a manner that oneface of each plate is substantially aligned with one of the parallelinner surface walls (no reference numerals) in the body member deningthe slot 206. The other side walls of the two plates 208 and 210 orthose opposite the two side walls 209 and 211 carry another plate 213which spans both plates and is secured to the two plates by welding.

Slot 206 receives a blade means or blade generally designated by thereference numeral 212. The blade includes a substantiallyrectangular-shaped body portion 214 and has a substantiallytriangular-shaped nose portion 216. One side of the triangular-shapednose portion is ground along its length at 218 and 220 in this instanceto provide a cutting edge 222 along one side of the nose portion,although it will be apparent that the nose portion could be ground toprovide two cutting edges. The blade is adapted to slidably fit withinthe slot 206 with the rectangular-shaped portion 214 thereof beingreceived between plates 208 and 210, the two plates thus functioning asa guide means and plate 213 functioning as a stop.

Plate 210 has a threaded aperture 224 therein which receives a threadedset screw `226, the set screw seating on portion 214 of the blade andthereby functioning as an adjustment means for the blade. The blade canthus be moved substantially transversely of the body member and anchoredin any given position in slot 206 between plates 208 and 210, wherebythe reamer can be employed to cut pipes of different sizes, particularlythose pipes having diameters between 21/2" and 6".

FIG. 13 shows the reamer in a remaing position or in a position ofintended use for the reaming of pipe 62.

Assuming that pipe `62 is being driven or rotated and the handles 178and 184 are ibeing held or supported, the reamer blade is then insertedinto the open end of the pipe, with roller 188 being positioned againstthe inner peripheral wall of the pipe and roller 186 being positioned onthe outer peripheral wall of the pipe. With the rollers being sopositioned, the cutting edge 222 of the blade can be moved into cuttingengagement with the inner peripheral edge of the pipe to remove a burrthereon by merely canting or slightly deflecting handle 184.

In practicing the method or methods of the present invention and inusing the apparatus to cut, ream and thread a larger diameter pipe, forinstance a 6' pipe, one extremity of the pipe is first inserted into thehollow cylinder 118 of adapter 11116. The three bolts 126 are threadedinwardly into engagement with the pipe until the adapter 116 is rigidlysecured to the pipe. The pipe need not be accurately centered in hollowcylinder 118 by the bolts 126. Shaft component 134 is then inserted intothe chuck of the power vise 162 and the chuck jaws tightened thereon.Conversely, the shaft component 134 could rst be secured in the chuckand then the adapter fastened to the pipe.

Pipe 62 adjacent the extremity thereof to be worked is then placed onthe pairs of rollers 54-56 and 58-60 of the roller vise. The chain 84having a length suitable to fit a 6 pipe is then placed over the pipe 62and buckle snugly into engagement therewith, the rollers 88 carried bythe chain actually engaging the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.The chain must not be buckled too tightly or it will move or walk alongthe pipe when the pipe is rotated. On the other hand, if the chain isbuckled too loosely, the pipe will not be held tightly enough againstthe rollers `54-56 and 58-60' and will thus not move in unison with therotatable head 26.

The motor of the power vise is then turned-on or energized, and the pipe62 will 'be rotated or driven by chuck 1166 acting through the universaljoint [1.30 and adapter 116. The tool support member 78 is then slid ormoved to the right, as shown in the drawings, and the portion of pipe 62projecting beyond or extending to the right of the head 26 and theroller vise carried thereby is now ready to be Worked.

PIG. 7 shows the apparatus of the present invention being employed in acutting operation. A conventional cutting tool 228 is first placed onthe pipe at the point thereon wherein it is desired to make a cut or inthe position shown in the drawings with the handle 230 of the cuttingtool resting on tool support member 78. With the pipe 62 being rotatedin a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the end of the pipe beingworked, the handle of the cutting tool is rotated to move the disc orblade (no reference numeral) of the cutting tool into cutting engagementwith the periphery of the pipe. The handle of the cutting tool isrotated until the pipe is completely severed or cut.

FIG. 8 shows the apparatus being used in a reaming operation to removethe burr from the inner peripheral edge of a cut pipe. With the powervise 162 being energized to again drive pipe 62 in a counterclockwisedirection, the reamer of the present invention is applied to the end ofthe pipe 62 as hereinbefore described. Handle 178 of the reamer rests ontool support member 78 during the reaming operation and handle 184 isheld by the hand of an operator. Handle 184 is canted slightly to movethe cutting edge 222 of the reamer blade 212 into a firm cuttingengagement with the inner peripheral edge of the pipe. The reamer willquickly remove the burr from the inner peripheral edge of the pipe.

Following the reaming operation, the pipe is next threaded. FIGS. 9 and15 show pipe 62 being threaded with a conventional geared threader 232to apply a right hand thread. The barrel 234 of the threader is rstplaced upon the end of the pipe whereupon it is centered on the pipe andis then rigidly attached thereto by means of a set screw (not shown),the set screw thus rigidly anchoring the threader to the end of thepipe. A ratchet 238 having a handle 239 thereon is then placed on thesquared end 240 of the shaft of the threader drive pinion `244 with theratchet being set to prevent rotation of the drive pinion shaft aboutits own axis and the handle 239 being slidably supported on an abuttingtool support arm 78. The power vise 162 is then energized to rotate thepipe 62 again in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIGS. 9 and15. With the pipe 62 being so rotated, the threaded ring gear 242 willalso be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and the drive pinion244 being fixed against rotation about its own axis will at the sametime move in orbit about the ring gear also in a counterclockwisedirection as best shown in FIG. l5. The orbital movement of the drivepinion 244 and its drive shaft will produce rotary movement of thethreader die head 236 in a counterclockwise direction and the threadcutting dies 246 will thus be rotated and moved axially inwardly of theend of pipe 62 to cut the desired threads on the outer peripherythereof. The cutting dies will be moved axially inwardly of the pipe 62in spite of the fact that the dies and the pipe 62 are both rotatedcounterclockwise inasmuch as the die head 236 and the drive pinion willbe rotating at a greater speed than the ring gear 242 and the pipe 62.The drive pinion having a much smaller number of teeth thereon than thering gear will have an orbital speed far greater than the rotationalspeed of the pipe and ring gear and will thus rotate the die head anddies at the same speed or in excess of the rotational speed of the pipeand ring gear.

In cutting, reaming and threading operations using the apparatus of thepresent invention, the axis of rotation of pipe 62 need not be alignedwith the axis of rotation of the power source, nor need the pipe beaccurately centered in the adapter i116. The action of the universaljoint will insure that the pipe 62 will be driven by the power source162 even if the pipe and power source are out of alignment by a largenumber of degrees either in a horizontal or vertical plane or both. Theaction of the universal joint will also serve to minimize theeccentricity that is induced into the rotated pipe as a result ofmisalignment between the pipe and power source.

The action afforded by head 26 will further serve to minimize if notsubstantially eliminate the eccentricity in the pipe at the extremitythereof being worked. With the pipe 62 being firmly and rotatablysecured to the head 26 by the vise means, the head will move or rotateabout its axes in response to any eccentric rotation of the pipe and inso doing will not only duplicate the eccentric rotation of the pipe butwill enable the pipe to remain firmly in rotatable engagement with thepairs of rollers 54-56 and 58-60 of the -vise means as Well as therollers carried by the chain 84. The movement of the he'ad 26 about itsaxes in response to eccentric rotation of the pipe will thusautomatically align the pipe and the vise means and will enable therotatably driven pipe to be accurately and sequentialy cut, reamed andthreaded. It will also be appreciated that any movement of the head 26in response to eccentric rotation of the pipe 62 will produce acorresponding movement of the tool support arm 78. With the handles ofthe cutting, reaming and threading tools being supported on the toolsupport arm, the tools will thus move in unison with the head and willnot be affected by any eccentric rotation of the pipe.

It Will also readily be appreciated that, once the pipe 62 is drivinglyconnected to the power source 162 and rotatably 'secured in the visemeans, it need not be removed from the apparatus of the presentinvention for separate work operations. In other words, the pipe may bequickly, accurately and sequentially cut, reamed and threaded in asingle work set-up.

Use of the apparatus of the present inventori has demonstrated thatcutting time in the case of 21/2 pipe is reduced by more than 50% overcutting by hand. In the l l case of 6 or larger pipe, cutting time isreduced in excess of 90%.

The use of the apparatus and reamer of the present invention has alsodemonstrated that reaming time in the case of 21/z"-4 pipe is reduced byat least 50% over conventional methods. In this case of even largerdiameter pipe, reaming time is reduced in excess of 90%.

The apparatus and reamer herein described and shown in the drawings aremade or constructed of steel in this one specific embodiment of theinvention, with the blade of the reamer, of course, being made of toolsteel. Other than the blade of the reamer, however, the apparatus andreamer could be constructed of any other suitable material. Theapparatus and reamer of the present invention will nd primary useage orutility in the plumbing trade but, as will be readily apparent, couldalso be used in any other trade or work situation wherein it is desiredto cut, ream and thread pipe or conduit. Moreover, while the apparatus,reamer and methods of the present invention have particular utility inworking pipe in diameter ranges of 21/2"6, it will be readily apparentthat pipe having diameters of less than 21/2" or greater than 6 couldalso be worked with equal facility using the apparatus, reamer andmethods.

Additional embodiments of the invention in this specilication will occurto others and therefore it is intended that the scope of the inventionbe limited only by the appended claims and not by the embodimentdescribed hereinabove. Accordingly, reference should be made to thefollowing claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A method of threading a pipe with a geared threader comprising thesteps of:

establishing a universal driving connection between one end of said pipeand a rotary power source; rotatably securing said pipe in a vise meanssupported for movement about multiple axes;

aixing the barrel of the geared threader to the extremity of the pipe tobe threaded;

fixing the drive pinion of the geared threader against rotation aboutits own axis; and

rotating said pipe through said universal driving connection with saidpower source;

said drive pinion upon rotation of the barrel and ring gear of saidgeared threader being movable in orbit about said ring gear in thedirection of rotation of said ring gear and thereby being operable torotate the thread cutting dies of said geared threader intothread-cutting engagement with said extremity of said pipe.

2. A method of threading a pipe as claimed in claim 1 further comprisingthe steps of is first rotatably securing said pipe in said vise meansand then establishing a universal driving connection between one end ofsaid pipe and said rotary power source..

3. A method of threading pipe as claimed in claim 1 further comprisingthe steps of fixing the drive pinion of said geared threader againstrotation about its own axis by placing of a ratchet on the drive shaftof the pinion while restraining the handle of said ratchet againstrotation and supporting said handle for movement about multiple axes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,024,256 4/1912 Greene 10-1071,126,792 2/1915 LaVoo 10-87 2,810,141 10/1957 Langston 10-87 3,002,20510/1961 Buyer 10-89 3,229,313 1/1966 Conway et al 10-107 3,270,5929/1966 Behnke 10-87 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner E. M. COMBS,Assistant Examiner

